Featherweight champion Jose Aldo, considered one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the UFC, will defend his belt for the second time against No. 1 contender Chad Mendes on Aug. 2 at UFC 176 at Staples Center.

Aldo (24-1) can take credit for the only loss on Mendes’ record after a stunning flying knee floored the Sacramento 145-pounder in the first round at UFC 142 in Rio de Janeiro two years ago.

Mendes (16-1) has since won his past five fights, four by knockout.

Meanwhile the Brazilian champion, who has won all six of his UFC fights, was last in the Octagon in February when he defeated Ricardo Lamas by unanimous decision at UFC 169.

The last time the MMA promotion was in Southern California, women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey won the first women’s fight in UFC history with a first-round submission of Liz Carmouche at UFC 157 at Honda Center in Anaheim in February 2013.

Staples Center hasn’t been the site for a UFC card since August 2012 when Mauricio Rua knocked out Brandon Vera and Lyoto Machida knocked out Ryan Bader in a pair of light heavyweight co-main events to determine the division’s top contender.